Zero Turn Transmission Oil Change on SEALED Hydro Gear! + Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

Zero Turn hydrostatic hydro gear transmission oil change on sealed non-serviceable transmission, John Deere Z255. Bonus comparison of AMSOIL Synthetic vs Conventional Transmission Fluid!
UPDATE: The transmission with Amsoil far out performed the Dino oil side. It runs smoother, quieter and is legit faster now on that side vs the Dino side. Win to Amsoil!!!! Get yours at the link below, this stuff is legit.
Amsoil Hydro Oil:
www.amsoil.com...
Check out my other videos below on everything you ever wanted to know about your zero turn transmission.
How to Remove Transmission: • How to Remove Zero Tur...
How to Install Transmission: • How to Install Zero Tu...
Serviceable Transmission Hydro Oil Change: • Zero Turn Hydrostatic ...
Drive Belt Replacement: • Zero Turn Hydrostatic ...
Hydro Quick Fixes: • Zero Turn Hydrostatic ...
Mower Mike’s Tool Store: www.amazon.com/...
www.amsoil.com...
Mower Mike

[@Eastcoastin469]

Hey, it is NOT necessary to remove anything! Run your machine to operating temperature, remove the fill plug. Use a suction gun with the hose end reduced down to 3/8 synflex air brake line and fish it in through the filler plug hole all the way to the bottom and suck it all out. I do this to my John deere z245 once , sometimes twice during spring and mid to late summer. The reason I’ve discovered and do this is because I bought this mower used and the right steer pump is weak and after 10-15min use I lose all passenger side steering. I’ve tried so many different fluids. My pump is so bad I use straight lucus heavy duty oil stabilizer in that side and synthetic in the other side. Pump has been shot since I bought it and I’m still able to get by without replacing the hydro gear at at cheap Canadian cost of about 1500! I’ve put 175hrs on it, doing just what I said! Machine has currently 670hrs on it! If anyone is ever shopping for a used zero turn make sure to test them after they been good and hot! You’ll know if it has a weak pump when fluid gets up to full temperature. Good luck ppl. I got scammed with this machine, because it was my first ride on mower ever, had no experience or knowledge about them. Now I’ve learned a lot!

[@warnerg2357]

I'm gonna have to try that. I'm also pretty sure I got scammed on my mower today, which is why I'm here. It's an older dixon ZTR, mowed amazing for about 45 mins to an hour, and then lost all steering on the left side

[@Eastcoastin469]

@@warnerg2357 ya man, I feel your pain! I’m surprised it worked for that long b4 failing tho. If you use Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer like I did. Boil some water and sit the jug in it for a while b4 you try pouring it in. It will help a lot!

[@Eastcoastin469]

@@warnerg2357 if you use Lucas synthetic it is a lot thinner. Maybe you should go that route first. I did that as well, but my pump was so bad, I ended using the 100% of the regular one after one cut. If you go that route, when you start the machine, let it warm up the Lucas for a couple minutes b4 forcing it to drive.

[@MowerMike]

Man thank you so much for this input. I have to try this, have my 3/8 brake air hose on order. Do you have any suggestions for using a hand pump to remove the fluid or do you just use a hand bulb pump? Killer suggestion on the Lucas, can’t wait to make videos on this.

[@Eastcoastin469]

@@MowerMike I use a standard suction gun with the two hoses on the end. That way once you fish the reduced hose all the way to the bottom, you don’t have to remove it until all the oil is extracted. It’s basically same size as a hand held cartridge grease gun.

[@raykelley234]

Toro time-cutter with zt-2100. The sealed unit does have a internal filter. I have a Pittsburgh handpump from harbor freight, I suck the oil out of the fill port then refill. Still have to purge afterwards but a lot less work then removing the whole tranny and can be done more frequently. I refill it with Valvoline VR1 conventional high zinc. Thanks for the vid 👍👊🏻

[@MowerMike]

Interesting, I don’t get how you can get the suction tube down to the bottom of the transmission. Any hints?

[@raykelley234]

@@MowerMike Feeding it down the fill port hole. Only able to get about a quart and a 1/4 of oil out of each transmission at a time but it only takes a few minutes to do so. After only 70 hours I was surprised to find the oil inside the unit was black with metal wear. Every 50 hours or so i will pump out a quart and re fill

[@CitizenOfBabylon]

Just drill a drain hole in the bottom, by the filter. Use cheap oil, run it for an hour, drain it again, and put in good 15w-50. Simple, cleaner and way better.

[@dpierce250]

I did the same thing except I made a crude bleeder contraption with a wet/dry vac, tubing and a bucket with lid. Feed the tube down the fill port till you hit bottom and start the vac. Got 1 quart and 6 ounces out each side.

[@T0MFORD]

My toro timecutter 50” has a hole in the frame to access that fill port, so it would be easy to feed the harbor freight hand pump tube down into the tranny. I’m gonna try that bc mine is slipping and belt is tight.

[@SteveKincanon]

HUGE HELP! John Deere Z235 zero turn, sealed tranny's, 12 years old. I was ready to pay someone to do something regarding the "lag" it had on one side and the sound of hydraulics when they are low on fluid. Knocked it out in about an hour and an half (one side), only confusing part was using 20W50 motor oil. Got a lot of mixed signals during research of "tranny" fluid vs. engine oil. Used Mobil One and it runs great now! And saved $850.00 in the process (one side)! Where do I ship the Crown Royal?

[@MowerMike]

That is great news glad it helped get ya going. Yep those hydros just take heavy duty engine oil you did the right thing. No Crown needed your comment is more than enough for me, gave me a chuckle and a smile.

[@kalonjohnson28]

⁠@@MowerMike Hey Mike! I have a John Deere 355r zero turn. The left transmission is whining awfully loud and it will not move once full pressure is applied to the levers as if it’s going out or something. What are the options to resolving that issue before possibly replacing the whole transmission? Are there any other smaller parts that could result to that issue?

[@AndrewSmith-rd3gbandAedantv]

​@@MowerMikeÀ😅😅

[@silverdragontaylir8252]

Study gearbox diagram(know where to drill and tap),remove wheels (right hand bottm corner)

[@biffmalibu3733]

Harbor freights vacuum brake bleeder is the way to drain fluids. 30 bucks and it works great for stuff like this.

[@brucemiller8109]

I use to use Amsoil in my Harley 1981 FLH, Cylinder head temp was lowered using this oil.Great video Corn Pone Mike, GET SOME FREAKING BOOTS ON TARZAN.

[@MowerMike]

Haha will take that as a compliment I think

[@brucemiller8109]

@@MowerMike Yes get those boots on soldier.

[@CitizenOfBabylon]

Just drill a drain hole in the bottom, by the filter. Use cheap oil, run it for an hour, drain it again, and put in good 15w-50. Simple, cleaner and way better.

[@MowerMike]

Ehe not my way of doing things, but whatever works for ya

[@JMir-cz1zn]

The conventional 20w/50 expands more than synthetic, or so I’e been told by the manufacturers. If you have no reservoir to hold the expansion, you need to use Full Synthetic.

[@MowerMike]

Interesting, thanks for the input. Amsoil makes a Hydrogear specific oil that I use that works great

[@juanluciano401]

Just viewed your blog, perhaps while you’re filling the transmission with oil maybe the thing to do would fill a bit then turn the pulley or rotate the spindle to help move oil throughout the transmission a couple of times while it’s off the machine …🤷🏽 not sure if you tried or mentioned this idea… anyways great work, new sub….👍

[@MowerMike]

Welcome aboard, things could get weird.

[@TheBeatenPaths]

I've been using Amsoil for years, and I see a big difference after I change other fluids out of my machines. It made a HUGE difference in the transfer case in my 4x4 too.

[@MowerMike]

I agree I use AMSOIL in all my stuff.

[@TheBeatenPaths]

@@MowerMike I save $ on it too, I've got their Preferred Customer account.

[@kisssys5414]

Did you give any thought to adding something to flush them out before filling. I've got a couple to do myself. Nice video.

[@MowerMike]

No I would just let gravity do it’s job. You can run it to warm it up and get things moving in there though first before you drain it

So my left side wasn't working properly. Maybe even dragging when I've only cut half of my front yard.I took the left side off and went to drain it.Their was hardly a drip.So I filled it completely up. Works better but kinda stiff.now I'm wondering if you can put too much into a sealed unit.Because I didn't leave any room for air.Filled to the brim.

[@MowerMike]

You don’t want any air in there.

@MowerMike so my left side just about stops working when it gets hot.(half of my yard) Is that left side considered gone. And how important is it to replace it with the same part number..at this point I'm thinking an getting a new mower (can't arrord)

ZC-DHBB-DJLC-1RPX

[@edp9811]

Notice any difference between the 2 fluids yet?

[@MowerMike]

I want to say yes but I have no way to tell. Both sides are running good

[@buckets1907]

Can you siphon the fluid out , instead of removing transmissions ? I have a bad boy 42" with same sealed trannys. With access to fill plugs.

[@MowerMike]

No, I tried but there is no room to get a tube under the fill plug there is too much stuff in the way.

[@territodude]

Hi, just wanted to ask a quick question about how you topped off the transmissions via the plug at the top. All the way to the top? I have an older Toro 2010 zero turn with the sealed aka unserviceable transmissions. It takes it a few minutes to move forward or backwards but then all of a sudden, there it goes. I did a times trial test from 0-5.5 mph according to the math converter of 8 fence sections in 10 seconds, lol. I have read that too much fluid in it can cause it to burst some seals in the transmission but that could be BS, not sure. Thanks in advance and appreciate the video. I will update this if replacing the fluid wakes mine up a bit.

[@MowerMike]

I really don’t know. I would just throw some more on there and see what happens. The key is to make sure all the air is out of them

[@ian.lwilson7156]

I’m going to do this. Brilliant.

[@MowerMike]

Wow never been called brilliant before.

[@Eastcoastin469]

No not so brilliant! 😂 I’ll tell you above in top comment how to do it way easy!

[@joellandis4969]

How did you know the units needed fluid change and were not worn out?

[@MowerMike]

I didn’t was just doing it for a video. You shouldn’t ever have to do this

[@daniellang6112]

barefoot? hurts to listen to you shut it off from high revs. Amsoil rules! great choice. thanks for video.

[@MowerMike]

What is wrong with shutting her off at high revs, lost me there

[@tracymercer4171]

i needed that i dont want to spend $600.00 on another trans axel if i dont have too

[@MowerMike]

Glad to help. I have some other zeroturn transmission videos under my zeroturn playlist.

[@curtcunningham1063]

There IS a vent on top of the trans……right by where you removed the plug you used to drain / fill the trans.

[@MowerMike]

Gravity maybe an issue with your plan. But good luck

[@curtcunningham1063]

@@MowerMike Haha. I can explain it to you but I cannot understand it for you. Your comment “gravity may be an issue” is mute. Gravity is not an issue when there are two holes in the unit, the one to fill with and one for air to evacuate(through the vent). Easy peasy. I have changed my non serviceable zero turn hydro’s oil every year for the last several years. My zero turn is a 2007 model, so this is hardly a new concept.

[@MowerMike]

@@curtcunningham1063 Now get it. Most of the units I see don’t have the drain on the bottom. Sounds like you got a good one

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

Do you think the stuff in the screen filter inside will come out? Or is it trapped inside for life?

[@MowerMike]

Trapped for life unless someone removes it

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

@@MowerMike Thanks ya I thought so. I appreciate the reply have a good one.

[@jeffreyevans6892]

Well done vid, thank you.

[@MowerMike]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@barbershop7277]

So all sealed Transaxles you fill to the top??

[@wilbs1959]

I dont think so , drained mine and only about a quart came out

[@angelrojas8671]

Hello, good morning, I have a Snapper 250z brand zero turn and it doesn't run backwards or forwards. It could be that many things have been done to it but they can't find the problem. Thanks if you can help.

[@MowerMike]

No idea sounds like you have an issue. I would check the belt is good and tight first

[@luisleon2309]

I have 830 i doesn't work the right side. You can rebuild I can't find any video that explains how to do it

[@MowerMike]

Keep looking am sure there is something out there. Good luck

[@bumpside6772]

It's 100% synthetic oil. Not Full synthetic. No petroleum in Amsoil. Good video.

[@MowerMike]

Yep what you said lol thanks

[@DavePillars]

On JD Z225 transaxle should any oil drain from the vent plug when servicing the unit? My left axle which was not functioning properly about 5 oz of oil drained from the vent port. The fill port I couldn't see any oil and about a quart drained from it. The right side no oil drained from vent port and the fill port was full to top.

[@MowerMike]

Yes some oil should come out of the vent port if you are filling it all the way up

[@brandonfreeman2069]

I have a 2017 bad boy left side whines a lot and has half the power of right side can I do this on those also

[@MowerMike]

You can do anything you put your mind to!

[@justinnowicki8869]

I’m have the same hydro but it’s leaking out of the seal by the brake. It keeps pushing out. Any help would be great

[@MowerMike]

Sounds like you need a new axle seal, never done one of those good luck

[@justinnowicki8869]

Shoot, ok lol

[@chrisjeczen8405]

Cool video would it be possible to suck the oil out of the transmission?

[@MowerMike]

I couldn’t get a straight hard tube needed for suction into the trans cause there is too much stuff in the way inside of it. But it sure would be alot easier

[@herbertrobertson5524]

You can take an old spray pump bottle and connect along tube to it feed it down inside the transmission and slowly drain it that way I tried this on my truck and it works

[@johnmidgley2687]

I can't get at the oil fill hole when the transmission is mounted. Is there a way to bleed the transmission off the or do I need to remove it a second time to top up with fluid and re-seal?

[@MowerMike]

I would just run it with it sealed and see how it does. If it is running full power don’t worry about topping it off.

[@robdale372]

Use a fluid pump is the best way to get rid of the old fluids

[@affilihated8053]

Anyone tapped and installed a drain plug at the bottom of each unit?

[@MowerMike]

I think that is a great idea, risky but would sure be handy.

[@garrettsimien4274]

Thanks for the video. These sealed hydros are very stupid.

[@MowerMike]

Ya may as well just run them with stock oil.

[@jimsmith7988]

The mower manufacturer and Hydro should be sued. They are shafting the consumers! Including the dealers! Class Action suit ????? I would join it! This issue has cost me $1700 and it’s still not fixed!!! It happened with Samsung fridges!!

[@renereyna8931]

I don't see any hydraulic s on my old tractor 😔 How do tou disingage with out hydraulic s

[@MowerMike]

I have no idea just don’t cut your arm off !

[@OscarTurner-g2i]

Taurean Canyon

[@AlpineWarren]

If you get a decent vacuum pump you can leave them in a pull the fluid out.

[@MowerMike]

I doubt that, but would love to see a video proving me wrong.

[@AlpineWarren]

@@MowerMike kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqiyk56foauLhJI

[@AlpineWarren]

@@MowerMike kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqiyk56foauLhJI

[@AlpineWarren]

@@MowerMike search Wait wrong link...

[@AlpineWarren]

Works like a charm - Been doing it for years.

[@33xerof]

😂i have about 3000 hrs on my husqvarna non serviceable hydrogears , runs fine but noisy , did the oil change quiet your down at all .

[@MowerMike]

Oh wow very cool. That is a crazy about of hours, never seen one with 3k hours. Well done !

[@tmscott2260]

Came looking for info, left with an informercial.

[@MowerMike]

Hot dang, got yourself a twofer!

[@MalorieWohlert-x2q]

Hermiston Roads

[@CatherineRobinson-y5f]

Rosina Glens

[@daviddoran9221]

We have a 2014 eztrak z425.. it is different than that it has no obvious filter on the outside, or the plastic plug that holds the filter, but it does seem to have some sort of a pan on it can you just drop the pan to change the fluid, thanks

[@MowerMike]

I suggest removing the unit and flipping it to drain it. That is going to be my next video series on an x320. If you take the pan off let me know how it goes.

[@daviddoran9221]

@@MowerMike we are mechanics by trade it looks like it has a pan sealed with some factory goop.. you can see there is a casting for a filter in a drain plug in the pan but it was never made to be functional it has no major issues and I'm not really keen on taking off a pan if I can't turn it over, you never know what might fall out..Thanks.

[@MowerMike]

@@daviddoran9221 I agree. I suggest just removing the trans with the wheels on and just flipping it to drain. Doesn’t look too hard. Let me know how it goes

[@jerryb1234]

If you can fill it up while on the mower, then why can't you just pump the old oil out, and fill it back up a couple times?, your way seems like a lot of unnecessary work if ya ask me.

[@MowerMike]

Try it and find out why it doesn’t work.

[@aaaaaaatbrown]

⁠@@MowerMike You could have just told him that the filler tube doesn’t lead to the case. No need to be a smart ass. @jerryb1234 - the transmission has tiny little channels for the fluid to flow through, you would need the smallest transfer pump in the universe to make it work, along with an X-ray machine lol.

[@MowerMike]

@@aaaaaaatbrown This whole channel is based on me being a smartass. I am surprised anyone watches it.

[@brandonyoung7760]

Why not just siphon it out through the fill port?

[@MowerMike]

I couldn’t get a tube from the port to the bottom of the transmission. There is too much in the way. If you can do it more power to ya.

[@brandonyoung7760]

@MowerMike have you thought about tapping it so you could add a drain plug? I've thought about it but afraid to do it lol. I'd hate to mess up $1,400 worth of transaxles 😂

[@MowerMike]

@@brandonyoung7760 I sure thought about it but so many things could go wrong with that. Just take it off and drain it if you are determined to change the oil.

[@richjura8957]

@@MowerMike I have a cub RZT LX,54” deck Kawasaki engine. On the right side I was able to vacuum out 44oz, left side 32oz. Bought in 2017, has350hrs on it.first change in the drive units. Mower has AG tires on it as I mow 4.5 miles of trails through the woods.I’ll run it for 10 hrs and vac it again….Amsoil. Units hold 52 or 54oz.

[@AmandaHamilton-b4y]

Kuphal Highway

[@MowerMike]

???

[@gulfcoastgarage]

15W50 MOBIL is what I use

[@MowerMike]

Good stuff

[@J53119]

Doing research on mowers there is a version of this transmission that has an oil drain port on the bottom but I can only find it in the Gravely X so far. Are you happy with the transmission performance in general?

[@MowerMike]

Yep that little mower works great. Gravely is a great mower

[@MegaMbusa]

Yes, I just purchased a 2023 Gravely ZT X it has the 2200 Hydro Gear Trans. They are serviceable. No filters or res. but you can remove the plugs and drain and fill.

[@BakerFowler-f2c]

Hagenes Radial

[@hobbyguy79]

Hey Mike, I have a Gravley ZT-2550. She runs great but after running for about 20 minutes the right drive motor fades pretty quick and is all wine and no drive. Any thoughts? Has the motor leaked all the fluid out? Need to be purged?

[@MowerMike]

Sounds like it is low on fluid. Suggest topping it off and bleeding it over and over

[@hobbyguy79]

@@MowerMike thanks

[@lukemurphy9224]

@hobbyguy79 any luck or did your internals need replacement?

[@DeborahSnider-b3o]

Elda Views

[@hswing11]

WHY REMOVE THE HYDROS USE A SUCTION DEVICE TO REMOVE/REFILL WITH CHEAP OIL /SUCTION THEN REPLACE WITH PREMIUM OIL. 90% OF THE SHITTY OIL WILL BE REPLACED.

[@MowerMike]

Because you can’t get the suction line through the middle of it to the bottom. Give it a shot

[@sherrischneider2794]

You don't know how to purge hydro units. Check the service manual for the right way.

[@MowerMike]

Haha I probably should have read one before I made these videos

[@rayray9777]

You’re bored and want to work on equipment I got lots of projects that got put on hold not by choice

[@MowerMike]

Get’r done!

[@steamboatwillie935]

It's my personal opinion. Synthetic Oil is a 'waste' of Money. In your personal Vehicle, I can understand the investment. In something like small engine Equipment, you'll never see the return or benefit.

[@MowerMike]

Well it sure made that transmission sing!

[@michiganoutdoorsman9865]

I have to disagree…If your mower will last longer then how isn’t it worth the investment? I can understand maybe a push mower but zero turns aren’t exactly cheap.You aren’t changing it very often or using a lot to make it much more of a expense.More protection for a longer period of time so less oil changes

[@lawrencebarber1551]

I disagree respectfully on this one I have a riding mower that has ran synthetic since day one in 2006 with a little over 2000 hours on the original single cylinder 19 hp briggs engine she is still spotless inside and burns no oil.

[@steamboatwillie935]

@@lawrencebarber1551 It's your Money, spend it like you wish. But I can say, I have Equipment well over Thirty years old. Still running and used till this Day. Always serviced with Convention Motor Oil. With regular Maintenance. I feel Synthetic is like every 'other' latest and greatest. Everybody gets sucked into. Like buying a New iPhone whenever a new ones released.

[@MowerMike]

@@lawrencebarber1551 2k hours is impressive on a single cylinder gas motor. Well done

[@rtaggs8178]

Another Amsoil commercial.

[@MowerMike]

Sorry I know. The sad part is they don’t even pay me

[@kellystrickland2875]

Another awesome video! One of my mowers has sealed transmissions. Going to use this info! Thanks again!

[@MowerMike]

Be careful I don’t suggest doing this if your mower is running good as is.

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

​@@MowerMike why? 🧐

[@MowerMike]

@@Ricky-eo5ym I usually break things when I try and fix them

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

@@MowerMike LoL Do you think the stuff in the filter screen will come out or is it trapped inside for life?

[@In2investing]

I would be careful topping those units all the way to the top. As with anything as the oil heats it expands and there should be room to accommodate for this. To bad there isnt any info from the manufacturer on recommended fill quantity.

[@TheBlueskydriver]

Actually there is for HydroGear. Should be .75 to 1.5 inches from top of filler plug opening. Got that info straight from them this past week, since I’m replacing the oil in both of mine. I used a small metal ruler to measure them with. They also say any 20W50 Synthetic Oil is fine. Albeit, I got the AMSOIL from ACE Hardware….

[@jimsmith7988]

Good info!

[@bangsteellongrangeshooting3413]

I just subscribed. :) I have a Husqvarna z254f with these sealed units. It's got 107 hours on it... at what number of hours would you suggest changing the oil? Thank you for your very informative channel!

[@MowerMike]

I would never change it, just keep on running them until they stop.

[@hanksmith6190]

Exmark has been using Mobil one synthetic in theirs for years.

[@shauncarson8732]

thanks for the help .!.! rebuilding a z225 with a blown engine found one for cheap and enjoying the project so far .

[@MowerMike]

Very cool, they are great little mowers. I like it better than the big 50 or 60 inch zero turns I have messed with.

[@WilbertMozelak-n3e]

Priscilla Street

[@PriceBoyd-i3h]

Prudence Summit

[@JoanneGoodwater-f8g]

Denesik Drive

[@abarli]

How much gear oil does each side take? Not sure if I caught that in your video.

[@MowerMike]

Hmm not sure google it

[@grayzbildz]

Incorrect about sealed transmission, the plug beside the fill plug is the vent plug and tube.

[@MowerMike]

Very true, good eye. Was just testing you

[@toolman9081]

Lifetime on 20w-50 motor oil. Yeah, right.

[@MowerMike]

Haha well I think they bet something else will break first.

[@toolman9081]

@@MowerMike thanks for the video. I've got a 2022 Ikon XD I've run to death for a year now. Ordered some amsoil to replace the ZT2200 fluids.

[@MowerMike]

@@toolman9081Good man, if you are going through the hassle may as well order the good stuff. AMSOIL is all I use

[@tonydiesel3444]

Filp the whole mowerrrr

[@MowerMike]

Haha now that is a damn good idea.

[@joefro9473]

How you gonna do that??

[@thomasanderson9358]

I got this mower specifically to be able to drive it through a 36 inch door kzbin.infoUgkx1VWTrayKBdCKAjzAcZ_Eg4dhHTae3LkN also recommend or gate It is a little tight with the grass deflector installed but has more clearance with the deflector replaced by the recycler/mulcher. This model appears to be popular and a little harder to find for that reason. I can't judge the dependability as I have only mowed the yard twice but everything else on the mower is very nice and working fine so far. I added options for the run hour timer, arm backrests, recycler/mulcher, towing bracket, deck lift assist and cover.

[@MowerMike]

Haha that is just wonderful

[@johnhodges9056]

Mower mike...I have same model with 103 hrs and a seal on the right trans is leaking...do you know if it's common or deffect

[@MowerMike]

I don’t think leaky transmissions are common. Better fix her up.

[@davidm9090]

Why not just find a way to access the port and then vac out the oil?

[@MowerMike]

Because I couldn’t get a tube from the port to the bottom of the transmission. There are too many gears and pumps in the way. But, give it a shot maybe you can figure it out

[@cory2146]

Mine died at 200 hours. The oil looked like chocolate milk.

[@MowerMike]

Wow that is not supposed to happen

[@cory2146]

One of the little cylinders on the hydrophilic pump had a broken spring inside. I'm going to order a rebuild kit and change everything while I have it apart. @@MowerMike

[@theBullringLive]

If it's sealed, how are you supposed to add fluid?

[@MowerMike]

There is a plug on the top of them you can get an Allen head wrench in them. It should be in the video

[@theBullringLive]

Sorry, brah, this craftsman z2000 has me pulling what's left of my hair out so I was a bit impatient and should have watched to the end@@MowerMike

[@2491kridge]

Do you have any experience with jerky steering on these machines? I’ve got an Ariens ikon and I have a leak on the right side axle which I used this video to top that fluid off, but when I’m driving straight it will start dragging to the left while making a rattling noise for like 2 seconds and then the noise stops and the steering snaps back into center and then it will repeat itself, it does it consistently while moving forward rinse and repeat, however if you’re going slow or in reverse it doesn’t do it? I was hoping low fluid on the right side was causing some sort of issue but that doesn’t seem to be the case

[@MowerMike]

All I know is to keep the fluid topped off. You can always try and bleed it again, sometimes air bubbles get in there.

[@2491kridge]

@@MowerMike yeh I think I’m going to try to bleed it again this weekend and see what happens. Still have like 6 months left on the warranty but that’s the last thing I feel like doing lol

[@jllupin33]

I have the same z225 and saw a video on a different mower where a drain plug was added to the bottom. Could this be done on the z225 transmissions? Trying to determine where a plug could be added…of course very carefully 😂

[@MowerMike]

I have no idea, if it is on KZbin am sure it can be done though. Let me know how it turns out. Is a good idea as long as you can keep the metal out of the hole.

[@jllupin33]

@@MowerMike Yep I’m just thinking if I go to the trouble of removing and draining/replacing the oil, might as well make it serviceable while I’m at it. The video I saw has the hole drilled while still full of oil…that to me doesn’t seem like a great idea due to metal shavings but obviously that’s easier 😑

[@alliesman9758]

Ever tore apart and rebuilt a non serviceable peerless silent trac hydro?

[@MowerMike]

Nope

[@bc65925]

Thank you very much, the exact same units in my Toro. I bought this mower very USED just to get me by till the end of season to buy a new mower. When I found out the units were "Maint Free" I asked the dealer where I bought my new mower if he had ever had one fail. He told me "never had he had one returned for steering problems." Well I think I figured out why mine has issues, I have welded almost every part on this mower to keep it together. The bar that lifts the deck was totally worn in two when I got it and I've had to build it up a second time. So my mower has outlived the steering units because I've made it do it. However after replacing the oil today I can steer it again with one hand.

[@MowerMike]

Great news glad it helped